Handling The Ups And Downs Of Life
Part 2 - How Do You Handle The Disheartening Days?
1 Kings 19:1-21



James 5:17-20 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

I first want to look at some areas of disheartenment…

The days of Dissatisfaction

We often become dissatisfied when we feel…  
Overworked
Under appreciated
Left out
Stand alone I want you to know that dissatisfaction leads to…
The days of Doubt Peter sank on the water- Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Disciples could not heal the vexed one- Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

Disciples paused and missed an opportunity - Mark 4:40 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

 And doubt can lead to…
The days of Discouragement

Children of Israel became discouraged along the way

Num. 21:4 - And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? And when we become discouraged, we see…
The days of Despair (or Depression) Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. Happens when we allow dissatisfaction, doubt, and discouragement to get the best of us.

Don't give up. There is help available
 
 

But the real question is not, "Will we have bad or difficult times?" It is, "How will we deal with them?"

So when we look at Elijah's life, we can see that we should…

Eat what God gives (listen to Him) - although it may not be our perfect desires 1 Kings 19:7

Be obedient to the Lord's direction (His Word) - vs. 8

Let His Word examine your life - It will help you find problems - vs. 9

Tell God how you feel - Even though He already knows - vs. 14

Know that God is in control - He will help provide for us - vs. 15-17

Know that you are not alone - find and use good counsel vs. 18

Get with it today - Elijah got in trouble when he was alone and doing nothing - vs. 19
 
 

 Acts 14:15-18 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
 
  Also from Paul, we see the simple advice he gives… Re-route from worldly ideas to God - vs. 15

Recognize the witness God has left (Christ) - vs. 17

Rejoice in His blessings - vs. 18

 So, no more down days? NAH they will still come

No more days where Satan fills you with unbelief -NAH they will still come.

So let me leave you with Pauls words to the Philippians…

Phil. 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

The Key is
REJOICE IN THE LORD!
REQUEST GOOD THINGS (of the Lord)!
REFLECT ON GOOD THINGS(of the Lord)!
REJOICE ON THE GOOD THINGS OF THE LORD!

Again I say, REJOICE
 

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 051902am